Handle unit for lawn mower

ABSTRACT

A lower handle member having depending legs pivotally connected to upstanding brackets on mower housing with stop members at opposite sides of legs. Springs urge legs toward brackets and release member moves legs away from brackets permitting angular movement of legs. Upper handle member having depending legs is adjustably connected to legs of lower handle member and retained at selected positions by releasable means.

United States Patent Keesee [451 Nov. 7, 1972 [54] HANDLE UNIT FOR LAWNMOWER [72] Inventor: Ernest W. Keesee, 3767 South Court Street,Montgomery, Ala. 36105 221 Filed: March 24,1971- 21 Appl.No.: l27,522

[52] US. Cl. ..16/111, 16/112, 280/4737 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47b 95/02 [58]FieldofSearch ..16/111, 110,114, 112, 115;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,423,103 l/1969 Maltarp..16/111 A 2,478,512 8/1949 Taylor ..16/111 A Primary Examiner-Bobby R.Gay Assistant ExaminerDoris L. Troutman AttorneyJennings, Carter &Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HANDLE UNIT FORLAWN MOWER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to ahandle unit for a lawn mower and more particularly to a handle unitwhich is adapted to move selectively to an operative position rearwardlyof the mower to an inoperative position over the mower, with the handlebeing extendable to vary the effective length thereof.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, the storage andshipment of lawn mowers has been a problem due to the fact that thehandle member'takes up a lot of space or must be removed from the lawnmower housing. Due to the fact that considerable time and effort isrequired to remove the handle and then replace the handle when it isdesired to use the mower,

compression spring 28 which urges the adjacent leg 21 toward the innersurface of the upstanding bracket 14. The spring abutment 27 is held inplace by suitable means, such as a cotter key 29 which passes through anopening 31 provided in the retainer element 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower ends of the legs 21 are relativelyflat whereby they extend closely adtimes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with my present invention,I provide a handle unit having a lower U-shaped handle member which ispivotally connected to the lawn mower housing and releasable means holdsthe lower handle member selectively in an operative position and aninoperative position relative to the mower housing. Also, an upperhandle member is provided with depending legs which are adjustablyconnected to the legs of the lower handle member whereby the upperhandle member is extendable. Releasable latch means retain the handlemembers at selected positions relative to each other. i

A lawn mower handle embodying features of my invention is illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the handle unit in operativeposition in solid lines and in the inoperative position in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view taken generally along the line 2-2 ofFIG. I; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken=generally along the line 3-3of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention,I show a lawn mower housing which is translatably supported by wheels1 1. The housing 10 is provided with the usual discharge passageway 12for grass cuttings. Mounted on top of the housing 10 is a conventionaltype power unit 13, such as an internal combustion engine.

Mounted on the housing 10 adjacent the rear portion thereof arelaterally spaced, upstanding brackets 14. As shown in FIG. 3, eachupstanding bracket 14 is provided with a vertically extending portion 16having an opening l7 therethrough for receiving a retainer element 18which also passes through an opening 19 provided in a depending leg 21of a lower handle unit indicated generally at 22. The legs 21 areconnected to each other by a transverse base member 23 to thus provide agenerally U-shaped handle member 22.

Formed integrally with the upper portion of the vertical portion 16 ofbracket 14 are inturned flanges or stop members 24 and 26 which arelocated at opposite sides of the adjacent leg 21 while the leg isadjacent the vertical portion 16, as shown in FIG. 3. Surrounding theelongated retainer element 18 intermediate the inner surface of the leg21 and a spring abutment 27 is a jacent the vertical portion 16 of thebracket 14 while the upper portions of the leg members 21 are tubularfor a purpose to be described hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 3, a portionof the flattened lower end of each leg member 21 is punched inwardly toprovide an arcuate member 32 which is spaced from the inner surface ofthe handle for receiving the adjacent end of an elongated flexiblemember 33 which extends between the lower ends of the legs 21, as shownin FIG. 2. Upon depressing the flexible member 33, such as by pressingdownwardly thereon with the foot of an operator, the lower ends of thelegs 21 are moved inwardly away from thevertical portions 16 to aposition to clear the stop members 24 and 26 whereby the handle memberis then free to move from the operative position shown in solid lines inFIG. 1 to the inoperative position'shown in dotted lines. Upon returningthe handle member 21 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 1, thelegs 21 snap into the recess defined between the stop members 24 .and 26due to the force exerted by the compression spring 28.

A second generally U-shaped handle member 34 having a base portion 36and depending legs 37 is adjustably connected to the upper portion ofthe lower handle member 22 whereby'the effective length of the overallhandle unit may be varied. The upper ends of the tubular membersdefining the legs 21 are open and receive with a sliding fit the lowerends of the legs 37 of the upper handle member 34 whereby the basemember 36 is adapted to move selectively'from an extended position shownin solid lines to. a contracted position shown in dotted lines in FIG.2.

Longitudinally' spaced openings 38 are provided in the lower portion ofthe upper handle member 37 which are adapted to move into transversealignment with openings 39 provided in the upper portion of the legs 21of the lower handle member 22. Locking pins 41 enter the openings 39 andthe aligned opening 38 to thus lock the upper handle member 34 inselected vertical positions relative to the lower handle member 22. Eachlocking pin 41 extends through a lateral flange 42 carried by atransverse support bracket 43, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, thelateral flange 42 is defined by depressing a portion of the metal out ofthe transverse bracket 43 whereby the flange 42 forms an integral partof the bracket 43. A compression spring 44 surrounds each locking pin 41between the lateral flange 42 and a spring abutment 46 whereby thelocking pins 41 are urged inwardly toward the openings 38.

To move the locking pins 41 at the same time whereby they are extractedfrom the openings 38, one end of each locking pin 41 is pivotallyconnected to a link 47 with the other end of the link being pivotallyconnected to an actuating member 48 which is pivotally connected to thetransverse support bracket 43 by a pivot pin 49. As shown in FIG. 2, theends of the locking pins 41 are pivotally connected to the actuatingmember 48 at opposite sides of the pivot pin 49 whereby upon pivotalmovement of the actuating member, the locking pins 41 are moved togetheras they move to and from locking engagement with the openings 38 in thelegs 37.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved handle unitfora lawn mower will be readily understood. While the mower is not inuse, the handle is contracted by releasing the locking pins 41 from the.

openings 38 whereby the base member 36 is adapted to move to the dottedline position shown in FIG. 2 to thus take up a minimum of space. Thelocking pins 41 thus move into engagement with the uppermost alignedopenings 38 to thus retain the upper handle member 34 in the contractedposition. The operator then steps on theelongated flexible member 33whereupon the lower ends of the legs 21 of the lower handle member 22are moved inwardly of the stop members 24 and 26. The

entire handle unit is then pivoted over the lawn mower housing 10, asshown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. h

To place the lawn mower back in operation, the

operator merely lifts the handle from the dotted line free to pivot.With the handle in the operative position,

the actuating member 48 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 2, to thus remove the locking pins 41 from the openings 38, thuspermitting the leg members 37 to move relative to the tubular legs 21 ofthe lower handle member 22. When the handle member 34 is moved to thedesired elevation,'the actuating member 48 is released whereupon thesprings 44 then urge the locking pins 41 into locking engagement withthe adjacent, aligned openings 38.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improvedhandle member for a lawn mower. By providing a handle member which maybe moved selectively to an operative position rearwardly of the housingto an inoperative position over the housing, the handle assumes aminimum of space for storage. Also, by providing a second handle memberwhich telescopes into the lower handle member, together with improvedmeans for locking the upper handle member at selected position relativeto the lower handle member, the effective length of the handle may bevaried with a minimum of effort thus accommodating the handle to theheight of the operator. Also, the upper handle member may be moved tothe fully contracted position to thus assume a minimum of space whilenot in use.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various other changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

What I claim is 1. In a handle unit for a lawn mower havinga.translatable housing:

a. a pair of transversely spaced, upstanding support brackets mounted onsaid housing,

b. a generally U-shaped handle member having a base portion with spacedapart depending legs, disposed to extend alongside said upstandingbrackets,

c. there being aligned openings through each said depending leg and theupstanding bracket adjacent thereto, retainer elements extending throughsaid aligned openings in said legs and said upstanding bracketspivotally connecting said legs to said upstanding brackets,

e. spring members carried by said retainer elements urging each said legtoward said upstanding bracket adjacent thereto,

f. stop members carried by each upstanding bracket at opposite sides ofthe leg adjacent thereto limiting pivotal movement. of said leg aboutsaid retainer element while said leg is adjacent said upstandingbracket, and

g. a release member operatively connected to said legs and disposed tomove said legs away from the upstanding brackets and out of engagementwith said stop members whereby said legs are adapted for pivotalmovementrelative to said upstanding brackets selectively from anoperative position rearwardly of said housing to an inoperative positionover said housing.

2. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 1 in which saidlegs extend along the inner sides of said upstanding brackets and saidstop members extend inwardly adjacent opposite sides of the leg adjacentthereto.

3. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 2 in which saidspring member surrounds said retainer element adjacent the inner side ofthe leg adjacent thereto with a spring abutment carried by said retainerelement at the other end of said spring member.

4. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 2 in which saidstop members are formed integrally with the upstanding brackets.

5.,A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 2 in which saidrelease member is a flexible member which extends between said legs andis connected at opposite ends to said legs.

6. A handle unitfor a lawn mower as defined in claim 1 in which a secondgenerally U-shaped handle member having a base portion and dependinglegs is adjustably connected to the upper portion of the first mentionedU-shaped handle member with the legs of said second handle member beingmovable to selected positions relative to the legs of said firstmentioned handle member.

7. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 6 in which thelegs of said first mentioned handle member are tubular and receive thelower ends of the legs of said second handle member with a sliding fit,there being longitudinally spaced aligned openings in the legs of saidsecond handle member disposed to move into alignment with openings insaid first handle member with locking pins extending through selectedaligned openings whereby the effective length of the handle is variable.

8. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 7 in which springmembers urge said locking pins toward said aligned openings.

9. A handle unit for a'lawn mower as defined in claim 7 in which arelease member is pivotally mounted on the base portion of said firstmentioned handle member and is operatively connected to said lockingpins for withdrawing said locking pins from said aligned openings inresponse to pivotal movement of said release member.

10. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 9 in which saidrelease member is connected to said locking pins by link members whichare pivotally 5 connected to said release member at opposite side of itspivotal connection to said base portion.

1. In a handle unit for a lawn mower having a translatable housing: a. apair of transversely spaced, upstanding support brackets mounted on saidhousing, b. a generally U-shaped handle member having a base portionwith spaced apart depending legs, disposed to extend alongside saidupstanding brackets, c. there being aligned openings through each saiddepending leg and the upstanding bracket adjacent thereto, d. retainerelements extending through said aligned openings in said legs and saidupstanding brackets pivotally connecting said legs to said upstandingbrackets, e. spring members carried by said retainer elements urgingeach said leg toward said upstanding bracket adjacent thereto, f. stopmembers carried by each upstanding bracket at opposite sides of the legadjacent thereto limiting pivotal movement of said leg about saidretainer element while said leg is adjacent said upstanding bracket, andg. a release member operatively connected to said legs and disposed tomove said legs away from the upstanding brackets and out of engagementwith said stop members whereby said legs are adapted for pivotalmovement relative to said upstanding brackets selectively from anoperative position rearwardly of said housing to an inoperative positionover said housing.
 2. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim1 in which said legs extend along the inner sides of said upstandingbrackets and said stop members extend inwardly adjacent opposite sidesof the leg adjacent thereto.
 3. A handle unit for a lawn mower asdefined in claim 2 in which Said spring member surrounds said retainerelement adjacent the inner side of the leg adjacent thereto with aspring abutment carried by said retainer element at the other end ofsaid spring member.
 4. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined inclaim 2 in which said stop members are formed integrally with theupstanding brackets.
 5. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined inclaim 2 in which said release member is a flexible member which extendsbetween said legs and is connected at opposite ends to said legs.
 6. Ahandle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 1 in which a secondgenerally U-shaped handle member having a base portion and dependinglegs is adjustably connected to the upper portion of the first mentionedU-shaped handle member with the legs of said second handle member beingmovable to selected positions relative to the legs of said firstmentioned handle member.
 7. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined inclaim 6 in which the legs of said first mentioned handle member aretubular and receive the lower ends of the legs of said second handlemember with a sliding fit, there being longitudinally spaced alignedopenings in the legs of said second handle member disposed to move intoalignment with openings in said first handle member with locking pinsextending through selected aligned openings whereby the effective lengthof the handle is variable.
 8. A handle unit for a lawn mower as definedin claim 7 in which spring members urge said locking pins toward saidaligned openings.
 9. A handle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim7 in which a release member is pivotally mounted on the base portion ofsaid first mentioned handle member and is operatively connected to saidlocking pins for withdrawing said locking pins from said alignedopenings in response to pivotal movement of said release member.
 10. Ahandle unit for a lawn mower as defined in claim 9 in which said releasemember is connected to said locking pins by link members which arepivotally connected to said release member at opposite side of itspivotal connection to said base portion.